Jammu: Jammu and Kashmir government is committed to strengthening democratic institutions and will soon take a decision to hold municipal elections in the state, Industries and Commerce Minister Surjit Singh Slathia said on Tuesday.

"Government is committed to strengthening democratic institutions and will soon take a decision to hold municipal elections in the state," he said at public meetings near Jammu.

He said elections for Block Development Councils (BDCs) too would be held as soon as the matter of reservations for SCs and STs and women was finalised.

The minister said the delay was only because of the government's desire to adhere to proper procedures so that nobody questioned the process.

Slathia said government functionaries will have to change their mindset to adopt to new ways and means of participative governance.